A night of poetry and music
POETRY evokes imaginative awareness of experience or emotional response that often moves people to tears or in melancholy.
The hearts of several Kagay-anon poetry enthusiasts were touched as the local artists of Nagkahiusang Magsusulat sa Cagayan de Oro (Nagmac) organized the September installment of the city's premier literary event, CDO Poetry Night, last Saturday, September 22, in SM Downtown Premier's Sky Park.
According to Mai Santillan, the chairperson and founder of Nagmac, Poetry Nights are often done every three months, with the purpose to showcase the craft of the Kagay-anon artists in terms of poetry, music, and writing, among others.
“One of the reasons why nag push pud ko ani nga event sa una (for this event before was) because I wanted to prove to the people who are leaving Cagayan de Oro to realize that 'Hey, there's something here that you could stay for. Why would you leave?'“ Santillan said.
Santillan shared that she had friends who are artists that left Cagayan de Oro to move to Manila or Cebu.
“Sayang kaayo nga grabe kadaghan og talent dinhi, walay venue. Now, naa na. I'm just so happy and it feels so surreal to be here right now,” Santillan said.
With the theme: “Fragile Things,” around 12 artists have performed through stage play readings, spoken word performances, live poetry/prose readings and musical performances.
There's also an open mic for anyone who wants to perform or present anything they want to present.
“We try to build an inclusive community, whoever you are from wherever you are, whatever your religion, race, gender, sexual orientation is, you're welcome to CDO Poetry Night. And we want to continue creating that space,” Adeva Esparrago, NAGMAC's associate director for events, said.
Apart from poetry and stage play readings, Bulawan Books, NAGMAC's indie press, also launched two chapbooks entitled “borrowed semi-truths” and “Ang Pagsasara: Mga Kuwento.”
Borrowed semi-truths is a collection of seven flash fiction and short stories written by Gari Jamero.
According to John Iremil Teodoro of the De La Salle University-Department of Literature, who wrote a blurb in the chapbook, Jamero's borrowed semi-truths is “a kind of writing that will assault your senses and disturb the balance of your imagination by its gore and beauty.”
Ang Pagsasara: Mga Kuwento, on the other hand, is a collection of stories written by Raymond Ybañez which, according to Romulo Baquiran Jr., awardee of the 2011 Southeast Asia Write, slowly attracts the readers without them knowing where the author is taking them.
Each chapbook is worth P250 and can be bought online by placing your orders via email at nagmac.submissions@gmail.com or through their Facebook page.
Alunsina, a synth pop band in Cagayan de Oro comprising Mai Santillan, John Joseph Cinco, Francis Ramos and Tanuki, also launched their debut single entitled “Damgo.”
“We give venue for other artists aside from writers to present their masterpieces. We have actors, we have singers, we have bands. We try to create this inclusive artistic community as a space for people to create and enjoy,” Esparrago said.
This October, Nagmac will be conducting a writer's workshop wherein writers are provided with writing and critiquing environment to help them improve their craft.
The Nagmac is a group of young artists composed of new-wave poets, essayists, fictionists, and playwrights which aims to provide a platform for local writers, artists, and musicians to showcase their talents to an audience composed of creative enthusiasts who appreciate their work.
It wishes to provide opportunities for local writers to enhance their skills and receive further education about their craft through workshops hosted by the group as well as provide a venue for editorial development and support group for those making a career with their creative works and create an open artistic community within the city that recognizes up-and-coming homegrown talents.